Book Chat Recommends

Here's a selection of the books that sparked discussion at a recent meeting of Hastings Library Book Chat. You can find out more by clicking on any title to find the link to the library’s catalogue.

The Girl in the Green Dress by Cath Staincliff
This novel has plenty of twists and psychological drama to create a real page turner. The story describes a hate crime against a transgender student who doesn’t come home from prom night. As shock-waves hit the parents of the affected students, DI Donna Bell has to sift through the evidence with a new partner, determined yet volatile DC Jade Bradshaw. Also recommended is Staincliff’s novel, Blink of an Eye.

 

Happy Half-Hours: selected writings of A A Milne
We know and love A A Milne for his Winnie-the-Pooh stories and children’s poems, but for four decades Milne also wrote whimsical articles on many topics, from lost hats to cheap cigars to married life. This book also includes Milne’s fiercely argued pieces on pacifism. A delightful collection ideal for the bedside table.

 

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

Our Book Chat reader gave five stars for this novel based on the experiences of an ‘artificial friend’. Klara is on the shelf at a shop awaiting purchase, observing the behaviour of those who come in to browse. When she is taken home to be a companion for Josie, who has fragile health, Klara wants to help make her well. This is a different sort of read which says a lot about the human condition with a perfectly imagined and unusual AI narrator.

The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
If you remember, Penelope was the wife of Odysseus, left alone for decades while her husband first went off to fight in the Trojan War (the Trojan horse was his idea) and then while he became side-tracked by various quests around the world. We know Atwood (The Handmaid’s Tale) is a master storyteller, and her take on this classic tale is clever, as you would expect, and a bit different.

Wahine: a novel by Kerry Harrison
As Kit Farley lies dying in her rest-home, memories surface showing the Wahine disaster and the events that followed. The novel builds a story around her daughter Jude, sent to a Taranaki boarding school when her father disappears on the night of the storm. This is a light but engaging read, well worth picking up.

Towards Compostella – Walking the Camino de Santiago by Catharina Van Bohemen

This is a personal account of one woman's journey on the renown Camino de Santiago. This author is an Aucklander with Hawke's Bay roots who kept a journal of her pilgrimage, which she describes as the most important thing she carried. Walking in the steps of those who have walked before her centuries ago, the book is filled with short impressions, notes and histories of people she travelled with. An interesting read.

 

Arcadia by Di Morrissey

We've been reading a few novels set in Tasmania lately, and this one is set over two time frames beginning with newly married Stella who loves the secluded property of her new home. Decades later, her grand-daughter Sally discovers a mystery surrounding her grandmother and with her good friend, Jessica sets out on the adventure of discovering the truth, but unwittingly puts themselves in danger. A great story woven through descriptions of a fascinating environment.

 

 

Life as a Novel – a biography of Maurice Shadbolt by Philip Temple
The second volume of Temple’s bio of one of NZ’s literary lions focusses on the years of political turmoil that included the Sutch spy trial, the Springbok Tour of 1981 and the Erebus disaster. Shadbolt’s journalism probed these and other issues and the book creates a fascinating picture of New Zealand society of the time. Included also are interesting details of the man’s fraught personal life, revealing the arrogance amongst the talent. Well worth a read.

Posted by Hastings Library Book Chat

Emma's Favourite Reads for 2020

From picture books to YA to adult fiction and some seriously thought-provoking non-fiction, Emma picks her reading highlights for the bumpy ride that was 2020.

Best Picture Book: This is a tough one, but I think I’m going to go with I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen. It doesn’t talk down to the reader and the illustrations aren’t particularly childish either. When the dialogue doesn’t match the pictures, you get a real giggle, knowing that the characters are telling lies. This picture book has worked well one-on-one with toddlers as well as in class settings with primary students and special needs high school students. Plus I like just reading it to myself. There are two more hat stories by Klassen to enjoy as well: This Is Not My Hat and We Found A Hat. 

The Book That Got Me Out of My Lockdown-Can’t-Read Slump: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by she-who-must-not-be-named. A familiar favourite that I tried to read every day in lockdown but couldn’t until we hit Covid alert level 2, when I could suddenly follow a narrative again!

Best Non-Fiction: a tie between Clementine Ford’s Fight Like a Girl and Reni Eddo-Lodge’s Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race. Both gave me a deeper understanding of the issues (sexism and racism, respectively), and both got me suitably riled up to have some important conversations with people I love, but would usually avoid these topics with. Ford’s Australian voice and Eddo-Lodge’s UK perspective were both a refreshing departure from the US narratives that tend to overshadow these conversations.

Best YA: Puddin' by Julie Murphy. A sequel to Dumplin’, which was made into an awesome Netflix movie. It’s great. So great. Just read it. Friendship, growing up, inclusiveness, girl power – it’s just so great. Just awesome characters – some of whom struggle with accepting who they are, and some who live with full confidence, unafraid to broadcast their quirks. 

Overall Best Book I Read This Year: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine. Really. As long as she can distract herself with work or alcohol, she’s utterly okay. I love Eleanor’s way of thinking. It’s relatable, ridiculous, hilarious, and terrifying by turns. Spoiler alert: she’s not actually fine. This book made me laugh out loud and cry heaving sobs.

Posted by Emma

Miss Moneypenny's Holiday Mystery Reading

This is the time of year when I start putting together the books I want to read over the summer. Catching up with detectives both professional and amateur is a perfect way to spend the summer. 

A Better Man by Louise Penny. This, a most excellent French Canadian mystery series, is centred around the fictional village of Three Pines and the most likeable Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. There are continuing storylines as well as births, deaths and marriages so if this is a new series for you start with Still Life. 

Troubled Blood by Robert Galbraith. I was initially reluctant to read this detective series written by the Harry Potter author J K Rowling. But don’t be like me and let this successful children’s author put you off as this is a great mystery series. The British protagonist, private detective, Cormoran Strike has an uneasy truce with life. Along with crimes to solve, Cormoran has romantic ups and downs and more personal issues that you can shake a stick at. Start with book number one: The Cuckoo’s Calling. 

Persons Unknown by Susie Steiner. This is the second in the British police detective series featuring Det. Sgt. Manon Bradshaw. In the first book in the series Missing, Presumed, socially awkward Manon is called into a missing person case. Edith comes from an affluent background but with her boyfriend Will they led a self sufficient lifestyle (well apart from the money Daddy gives her). When she goes missing the worst is feared. Needs to be read in order. 

A Willing Murder by Jude Deveraux. Romantic novelist Deveraux has branched into the world of crime with this the first in the Medlar Mystery Series. The main characters are bored and successful romance novelist Sara Medlar, her niece Kate and house guest Jack. Looks promising. 

Hunting Game by Helene Tursten. I was introduced to Tursten with her collection of detective short stories: An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good. Hunting Game is set in Sweden with Detective Inspector Embla Nyström on holiday moose hunting when a body turns up. Billed as slow burning and atmospheric; here's hoping it lives up to its reviews.

Murder at Honeychurch Hall by Hannah Dennison. Now for something different - a cosy mystery set in a quaint village in the English county of Devon. Kat is about to launch into her new career in the antique business when her mother recklessly purchases a dilapidated carriage house. Kat finds herself drawn into the affairs of the local stately mansion. Cute, quirky and fun – a perfect choice for a relaxing read over the summer.

Posted by Miss Moneypenny

Three Very Different Recommended Reads

Along with quite a few books that have featured on this blog - it's great to see so much shared enjoyment - here are three stand-out books I've discovered that I can heartily recommend:

Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake and with pictures by Jon Klassen
This whimsical children's chapter book (think Wind in the Willows and Winnie the Pooh) is highly recommended for all ages. The first book in a new series, it follows Badger, a workaholic rock scientist who has lived alone in his aunt's house for three years doing important rock work. He lives a simple, ordered life until one day there is a skunk with a red suitcase tied up with twine knocking at his door. If Badger had read the letters from Aunt Lula, he would have known that Skunk was going to move in with him. Skunk, outgoing, friendly, helpful (maybe too helpful?) a good cook (but a messy cook) like Badger, has quirky interests. With humour and wonderfully rich illustrations, this delightful book expounds the values of compromise, understanding the viewpoints of others, as well as love and kindness.

The Last Hours by Minette Walters

Usually known for her psychological novels, Minette Walters can also write compelling and captivating historical fiction. The Last Hours is set in England in 1348 as the Black Death is starting to spread across the land. While her brutal husband is away negotiating a husband for their spoilt 14-year-old daughter, Lady Anne hears news of the plague. Educated by nuns and therefore with knowledge of good hygiene and the practice of isolation to keep sickness away, she brings their 200 serfs inside the moat of their manor house and lifts up the drawbridge. With the support of the elder serfs, Gyles and Thaddeus, this strong and memorable heroine takes charge at this frightening time, having already been quietly running the demesne efficiently and compassionately behind her nasty husband's back. How will they survive with food running low and with attacks from raiding parties? This character driven novel drew me in and with a few secrets to reveal and some unresolved business, I am looking forward to returning to Develish in the sequel, The Turn of Midnight.

Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce
This heart-warming story of unexpected female friendship, resilience and second chances as well as the lasting effects of war, had me cheering for Margery Benson, a single domestic science teacher who had lost her brothers and father in WWI. Advertising for an assistant to travel with her to the New Caledonian jungle to find an undiscovered species of golden beetle, she finds she has engaged the very unusual Enid Pretty. But, unbeknown to them, they are also being followed by Mr Mundic, a traumatised ex-prisoner of war. Another novel with plenty of surprises, great atmosphere and contrasts from austere, post-war Britain to the sun, heat and dangers of New Caledonia, written by a talented author.

Posted by VT

Nigel's Top Ten by Stephen King

I’ve been on a Stephen King binge this year – my ultimate goal is to read all of his works within in next couple of years (I’m about halfway there). Here are the books that make my top ten by King so far:

Wizard and Glass (Dark Tower Series, Book 4)  

We gain insight into the main character’s (Roland's) background. He tells his group of Ka-tet about an adventure he embarked upon in his youth with his fellow gunslingers.

The Dark Tower (The Dark Tower Series, Book 7)
The final book in Mr King’s beloved Dark Tower series – Will Roland and his Ka-tet make it to the fabled Dark Tower? Plenty of twists, turns and action for this group to encounter. “All things serve the Beam.”

The Shining 
When Jack Torrance and his family take an opportunity for work at the Overlook Hotel they never in their wildest dreams think they’ll encounter what they do. A place of dark, alluring evil comes to life; gifted son Danny the key to it all. A brilliant, scary and terrifying read - definitely one of Stephen King’s finest efforts. “Redrum... redrum.” 

Skeleton Crew & Night Shift 
Two books of short stories – I guarantee you there are stories in here that will keep you up at night and make you look under the bed/in the closet - what was that noise?
Each brings a brilliant collection of varied short stories, Mr King knows how to turn everyday life into something utterly terrifying –  must reads for horror fans.

The Outsider  
When local school teacher and baseball coach Terry Maitland is accused of a horrific murder, a crazy chain of events begin. Despite overwhelming evidence against him, Terry appears to have a watertight alibi. A deadly game of cat-and mouse (with a supernatural twist) ensues over three states in America.

The Talisman (written with Peter Straub)
Twelve-year-old Jack Sawyer must embark on a quest to save his dying Mum. Thrust into a parallel universe of twinners, friends, foes and strange creatures, Jack must find the all powerful Talisman – not only to save his Mum but to save the balance of the universe too. 

Black House (written with Peter Straub)

Twenty years after the events of the Talisman, “retired” homicide detective Jack Sawyer is brought into solve a series of bizarre murders in Wisconsin. The killer pays homage to an infamous serial killer from the past with a similar modus operandi. “The Fisherman” kidnaps a child. Jack - with the help of the local authorities and local “heavies” - must stop “The Fisherman” before another victim is found. All things lead to the forbidding and sinister Black House…

The Tommyknockers  
When a strange object buried in the forest is found, a dig begins for the locals of Haven, Maine. Things in the town start to get strange, new powers are obtained - life will never be the same for the locals or anyone else entering the town…

Elevation 
Scott Carey is rapidly losing weight no matter how much he eats, but it’s not showing in his appearance. This coupled with a nasty neighbour gives Scott a challenge he wants to accept. The annual foot race presents Scott with an opportunity to make good on his challenges. 

Posted by Nigel

Librarians' Top Reads 2020: General Fiction

From Kate: 

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood 

For someone who absolutely detested The Handmaid's Tale when I read it back in the late nineties (for my then boyfriend so he did haven’t to), but enjoyed (in a terribly misery –porn type way) the TV series, I was dubious as to how I would find this. But I really enjoyed it. I thought Atwood managed to cleverly craft the story I remember in the books, and the characters from the TV series in together, so that it felt like it didn’t matter which one you had read or seen. I felt the ending had resolution, and that was sorely needed in this messed up year of unknowns. 

From Lara:

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern  
This is undoubtedly my favourite read of this year. An enchanting book about stories. The world is beautiful and magical. You can get lost in it and in desire to visit the Starless Sea, to spend time among the books, and the cats, and the people. This is a book for people who love stories, and magic, and dreaming.

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn  
I found a nice element of truth in this novel, which is loosely based on the real WWI spy Louise de Bettignies, aka Alice Dubois. There are some gritty topics, including abortion and PTSD, balanced by some of the most brilliantly written relationships. It is well worth reading for an insight into women’s experiences in both world wars.

Miracle Creek by Angie Kim 
I love a book that gives me a different perspective, with characters whose life experience is entirely different from my own. This book ticks that box on several levels. It explores topics including immigration, racism, disability, and infertility. There is drama, and mystery, and it is an excellent character study.

 

From JAM:

Actress by Anne Enright
This is the latest novel by Enright who is something of an Irish literary phenomenon. Nora watches from the wings as her mother, the famous actress, Katherine O'Dell self-destructs. Questions of who might be Nora's father and why her mother went mad, shooting a producer in the foot, linger through the pages. A novel about problematic mother and daughter relationships, the price of fame and fandom but which could be about anything at all as far as I was concerned as I just love Enright for her bitingly witty writing.

A Theatre for Dreamers by Polly Samson takes you back to 1960 and the Greek Island of Hydra, home to a bunch of ex-pat writers and artists. Young Erika has escaped a controlling father and watches as 25-year-old Leonard Cohen steps off the boat and meets his future muse, Marianne Ihlen. There's lots of bad behaviour and some beautifully evocative writing makes all it very real: the sea, the beaches, the food and wine, the scents of summer - almost as good as being there.

A Sin of Omission by Marguerite Poland
This one tore my heartstrings, the story of a young African priest in South Africa during the 1870s. It begins as Rev. Stephen Mzamane makes the journey to his mother's rural home to tell her about his older brother's death. This author has done heaps of research to create a picture of colonial snobbery and cultural divisions at a time of unrest and oppression. This novel still haunts me months after turning the last page.

Akin by Emma Donoghue

Donoghue took the world by storm with Room. In her new book we meet urbane, elderly New Yorker Noah, a man planning a visit to Nice - the place of his birth and a bunch of family secrets. But social services saddle Noah with Michael, his eleven-year-old grand-nephew and two make the perfect odd couple. A layered, heart-warming book about how blood can be thicker than water and which also takes you to some wonderful nooks and crannies in this interesting corner of France.

Milkman by Emma Burns 

Once I got used to the Northern Irish lilt of the narrator this was a brilliant read. Set during the troubles it describes the problems of a young woman who has a 'maybe boyfriend' on the other (wrong) side. She's already lost a brother to the conflict and a sister is in exile. How she navigates the tricky politics of her dangerous world makes a tense story, particularly when she attracts the attention of 'the milkman', an older man and paramilitary leader. This novel cleverly captures the feeling of impending violence and the stress it inflicts on ordinary people in an oddly witty way.

Li's Reading Year and Some Surprising Reading Highlights

When we were asked to make a list of our Top Reads of 2020, I honestly felt like there was no way I would manage to get even close to a “list” of books that I read during 2020. Lockdown was a mess. I spent my time reading books from the 300 section in Non-Fiction; and LitRPG books. But I sat down, and I had a look back over the books I had reviewed. Cutting out the ones that aren’t published yet, I was surprised to see how many I had actually finished. It made me feel a little better; a little less like I lost the ability to finish a book thanks to Lockdown. And then I took a moment to reflect on that feeling. 

Because Lockdown wasn’t normal. It was a time where things were completely upside down. We didn’t know what was happening, when things would go back to the way they were, if people we knew would get sick. And it is 100% okay, and 100% normal, to be feeling a little out of sorts (or a lot out of sorts!).

So relax. Accept that this year was a mess, and give yourself credit for the little things. We made it through a year that will go down in history.

That said, here are some of the books I read this year, which I really enjoyed. I will split them into categories, to make it easier.

Starting with the Young Adult Fiction:

Finding Balance* by Kati Gardner - I was lucky enough to be a part of the digital book launch of this book (ordinarily, a book launch is a physical tour, but due to COVID-19, that didn’t happen). An own-voices novel about a young girl who is learning how to live as a whole person, not to be defined as simply “that girl who lost a leg to cancer”, while hiding the secrets of her best friend - who pretends not to know her.

Everything I Thought I Knew* by Shannon Takaoka - This book was absolutely beautiful. It follows a young girl who had a heart transplant due to a genetic condition., It does have some magical realism/sci-fi elements (depending on who you ask, I have zero trouble believing it as actual fact).

Break The Fall by Jennifer Iacopelli - Set in the gymnastics camp of US gymnasts in the lead up to the Tokyo Olympics, it’s a well written and enjoyable look at team-ship and friendship, as well as the troubling assault by a coach/doctor/mentor which are far too common.

Somebody Told Me by Mia Siegert - This book has a main character who is bi-gendered, which isn’t something you see a lot of yet. This aspect is well handled, with enough information to be informative without being pushy or overbearing. Given the sexual assault Catholic Priest plotline, I was honestly worried that it would be finger-pointing and blamey, or paint all Catholics with the same brush, or make out Catholics to be anti-LGBT+. Here’s a note from the author (in my opinion, they did what they set out to do and did it well): Author’s Note: I wanted to write a book about the ongoing problems in the Catholic Church without attacking Catholics for their faith. I didn’t want to tarnish something that’s sacred for many people. At the same time, as a child safety advocate, I knew I needed to write something. I believe that if a person knows about a crime and does nothing, they are as culpable as the perpetrator.

Even If We Break by Marieke Nijkamp - A YA thriller about a group of teens who are different and unique and wonderful. There’s a double layer of story going on - the teens have been playing a TableTop Role Playing Game, and this is woven into the real life story throughout. It was well done, and I wish the game was real!

Young Adult Non-Fiction

The Spectrum Girl’s Survival Guide by Siena Castellon - This part basically sums up my thoughts on this book: This book is great. That’s a good way to start a review, right?

No, seriously. Written by an Autistic Girl for Autistic Girls, the author writes eloquently and with intelligence, but with enough oversight to make it very easily readable, as well as easily able to be digested (unlike that last sentence...ugh.). It doesn’t read as too childish, which can happen when an adult writes for children. There is some repetitiveness at the beginning of the chapters, but this is something that is common in Non-Fiction, so is not an issue.

Adult Fiction

A Trio Of Sophies by Eileen Merriman - This one I will note three things:
I bought this for YA, read it, and asked for it to be moved to Adult Fic, due to the content.
She’s a Kiwi, and I don’t tend to read a lot of Kiwi Fiction. 
The below are my thoughts on this book:

For the first half of this book, I moaned and groaned my way onwards, repeatedly saying things such as:
“Urgh, this is SO predictable!”
“Oh, come one, this is insane. No way, I just don’t believe it.”
“Dear author, I know he’s bad and all but really? All of that? Couldn’t have just stopped with one, could you?

In response, my colleagues laughed at me, and asked why I was still reading if I hated it that much. Honestly?
a) I’m terrible at wanting to finish EVERY book I start;

b) I was bored, and my brain had turned to mush; 
c) I figured I’d add it to my list of "Books I DNF" anyway.

When I finished it however, this book took up residence in my brain and just wouldn’t let go. I thought about it for the rest of the evening; I DREAMED about it. That’s impressive, especially considering that I listen to audiobooks at night when I sleep, so dreaming about a completely different book… That’s impressive.

I won’t give you much plot. It’s something that you have to read for yourself. All you need to know going in is written in the blurb:
It’s been 64 days since Sophie A went missing, and no-one has seen her since.
“[Mac] last saw Sophie Alexander kissing James Bacon, their English teacher.”
Mac is our narrator; the best friend of Sophie, student of Mr Bacon. We follow her ups and downs as she navigates the world after her best friend goes missing.

Adult Non-Fiction

Out of Orange by Cleary Wolters - So I went to look at my reviews in order to write this, and I NEVER REVIEWED THIS? How did that slip past me?? I reviewed Orange is the New Black, by Piper Kerman for my Books to Screen segment, and it was… meh. So I thought I would try the other half of the story - the memoir of the real Alex Vause, Out of Orange. If you’re looking for a prison memoir, this isn’t it. It is, however, an account of a woman who got herself into a situation and then paid for her mistakes. Not what I was expecting, but I couldn’t put it down.

Note: I marked with a * books which I have on order but are not yet in our system. Otherwise, we have either a print or digital copy.

Posted by Li